Woods claims Silver for Ireland

A team of 49 Age Group Triathletes travelled to Geneva to represent Ireland at the Age Group European Triathlon Championships over the weekend.

The team were supported by team manager Ditch Moore and many stayed in the team hotel resulting in a great team spirit.

Cork TC member Trevor Woods is no stranger to podium finishes on the domestic race scene however Woods now has a European silver medal to add to his trophy cabinet after clocking 2:02:30 for the 1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run.

Woods lost out to Italian Alfio Bulgarelli by 35 seconds with the pair evenly matched over the swim and bike before Bulgarilli pulled out a gap on the run thanks to his 36:36 split.

“The run was relatively flat but the heat was tough, but that’s racing.” Woods commented afterwards.

“Thanks everyone, and particularly to all those shouting me on around the course, much appreciated. Thank you also to Base2Race and Udo's Choice for the support."

Alan O’Brien narrowly missed out on a European Age Group medal as he clocked 1:08:43 over a tough sprint distance course. Thomas Thalhammer of Denmark claimed the final podium position in the 30-34yrs Sprint event in a time of 1:07:06 with the race won in a time of 1:05:44.

Other notable performances came from Maria Sudway, 8th in the Female 45-49yrs Age Group in a time of 01:24:51. Paula Foley, 9th in a time of 1:19:11 in the Female 30-34yrs Sprint event and Elizabeth O’Connor, 14th in the Female 50-54yrs Sprint.

This was the biggest team to represent Ireland at a European Triathlon Championships and a team of 80 looks set to represent Ireland at the Age Group ITU World Triathlon Championships in Chicago from the 15th-20th of September.

If you would like to progress for domestic competition and test yourself against the best in Europe or the World please see 2016 qualification criteria here or contact Orla on 01 2741032.